PRESS RELEASE July 24, 2014 Contact: Camille Cintrón, Manager, Public Relations 703.255.4096 or [email protected]
High-resolution images of the artists listed are available on Wolf Trap’s website: wolftrap.org/Media_and_Newsroom/Photos_for_Publication.aspx
Wolf Trap Presents Noche Flamenca, Nickel Creek and Josh Ritter, Boney James and Eric Benet, YANNI, and ABBA—The Concert
All Shows at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, Virginia 22182
Noche Flamenca Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at 8:30 pm
The passionate flair of traditional Spanish dance and music strikes a pose onstage at the Filene Center with Noche Flamenca. The group, founded in Madrid in 1993, is highly decorated, having been honored with the Lucille Lortel Award for Special Theatrical Experience in 2003 and awards from the National Dance Project in 2006 and 2009. Additionally, lead dancer and co-founder Soledad Barrio won a New York Dance and Performance Award for her acclaimed style. Her husband Martín Santangelo co- founded the group with her and serves as the artistic director, stylizing shows that are performed throughout the world, including full annual seasons in Buenos Aires and New York City. Dance Magazine says Barrio is “a gift to flamenco and the troupe a testament to the art’s underlying relevance.”
Video: Noche Flamenca – Promotional Video
Nickel Creek Josh Ritter Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at 7:30 pm
“Newgrass” band Nickel Creek partners with acoustic artist Josh Ritter to create an evening of homey folk at the Filene Center.
Nickel Creek brings their unique blend of progressive bluegrass and acoustic folk to their Wolf Trap debut. Composed of brother and sister Sean and Sara Watkins and childhood friend Chris Thile, the trio started performing together when they were preteens in California. In 2000 they released their eponymous breakthrough album, which garnered them their first two Grammy nominations and was certified platinum. Their sophomore album, This Side, won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. This year marks the group’s reunion after a seven year hiatus, launching their 25th anniversary tour and releasing the new album A Dotted Line.
Video: Nickel Creek – “This Side” Folk-rock crooner Josh Ritter narrates stories through song in his uniquely Americana style this summer. Ritter plays guitar, piano, lute and violin, and uses his highly musical upbringing in Idaho to create an acoustic, Midwest feel. Irish band The Frames discovered Ritter and helped him make it big in Europe, where his third album, Hello Starling, debuted at No. 2 on the Irish charts. Shortly after, Ritter found success in America with the same album. He most recently released The Beast in Its Tracks (2013) to a very warm critical response. The New York Times says the “literary touches in [Ritter’s] music have established him among the cream of the young singer/songwriter crop”
Video: Josh Ritter – “In Your Arms Again” (Tour Video)
Boney James Eric Benet Thursday, August 14, 2014 at 8 pm
The jazzy sax player Boney James and the neo-soul singer Eric Benet present a blend of R&B and jazz under the stars.
The chart-topping saxophonist Boney James colors his smooth jazz with elements of pop, Latin, funk and R&B to capture audiences. In addition to his skillful handling of the tenor saxophone, he also plays the alto sax, soprano sax, flute, and keyboard. James has been nominated for a Grammy Award four times and his 1998 release Sweet Thing won that year’s Soul Train Award for Best Jazz Album. He composed the score for the award-winning indie movie Model Minority. Billboard magazine ranked James the No. 3 Contemporary Jazz Artist of the Decade in 2009 after 10 of his albums topped their jazz charts. His latest album is 2013’s The Beat, with a lead single of the same name.
Video: Boney James with Rick Braun – “Grazin In The Grass”
Four-time Grammy nominee Eric Benet displays his fusion of contemporary R&B and soul music made famous by hits such as 1999’s “Spend My Life With You (featuring Tamia).” A performer with various late ’80s groups, Benet achieved breakthrough solo success in 1996 with his album True To Myself. He made his film debut in the 2001 movie Glitter alongside fellow R&B artist Mariah Carey, and has since starred in Trinity Goodheart in 2011. Benet was the recipient of a Black Reel Award in 2002 for his musical contribution to the movie The Brothers and was presented a NAACP Image Award for his songwriting. Benet’s most recent release was in 2012, entitled The One.
Video: Eric Benet – “You’re The Only One”
YANNI Friday, August 15, 2014 at 8 pm
Greek new-age pianist Yanni appears on the Filene Center stage to take audiences away with “the most uplifting elements of the classical tradition with easy to digest samplings from jazz and world music” according to the New York Times. An astounding 15 of Yanni’s albums have secured No. 1 on the Billboard Top New Age Album chart. His PBS televised concerts, Yanni Live at the Acropolis and Tribute, in 1994 and 1998 respectively, garnered several Emmy Award nominations and the former is the second best-selling music video of all time. He was nominated in two consecutive years, 1992 and 1993, for the Best New Age Album Grammy Award. He released the album Inspirato this year.
Video: Yanni – “The Storm” (Live In Concert)
ABBA—The Concert Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 8 pm
Accompanied by two original members of the ABBA rhythm section, these musicians pay tribute to the original “Mamma Mia” in ABBA – The Concert. The Concert has been touring for over 12 years, having sold out dozens of venues along the way, including the Hollywood Bowl in California and The Royal Albert Hall in London. Both The Concert and ABBA hail from Stockholm, Sweden, infusing a zany, European style into their performances. The tribute band performs many of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers’ greatest hits, including “Waterloo,” “Dancing Queen,” and “Take a Chance on Me.”
Tickets can be purchased online at wolftrap.org or by calling 1.877.WOLFTRAP. For more information, call Wolf Trap at 703.255.1900.
Wolf Trap is Metro accessible! Our environmentally friendly Wolf Trap Express Bus travels from the West Falls Church Metro stop every 20 minutes starting two hours prior to show time. For details, please visit wolftrap.org/Plan_Your_Visit/Access_by_Metro.aspx.
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